It Doesn't Have to be Lonely at the Top

Everyone has heard the old saying, "it's lonely at the top," but what does it really mean? It can mean that when you have reached the top of your field, you will find that there aren't many there, and that's generally true.  The more commonly held meaning is that when you are at the top - of a company or a field, it's lonely because everyone is either afraid of you, using you or out to get you, so your relationships aren't genuine or positive.  Many small business owners believe in the latter definition, but many of today's top business gurus would disagree.  In fact, they would say that if it's lonely at the top, you're doing something wrong.  At Surge Business Growth Engine, we couldn't agree more.

If you asked a sampling of successful small business owners what is their greatest challenge, the most frequent answer would be that there's too much to do and not enough time to do it.  They find themselves spending so much time working IN their business, that they have no time to work ON their business, so the things they know they should be doing never get done.  It might be their book-keeping that falls behind, leaving them without a clue as to how well they really are doing - or NOT.  It might be their sales and marketing that become inconsistent, resulting in a peak and valley pattern of income because they only sell when they're not busy, and then they get too busy to sell and the cycle continues.  They might be too busy to hire staff, or too busy to train them properly once they are hired.  Or it might just be their life that suffers - no time for family, friends and relaxation.  Is that the kind of life they had in mind when they decided to start their own business?  Does it have to be the price of success?  Absolutely not!

Most small business owners started a business because they wanted to have a good income and the flexibility to enjoy it.  They wanted to be able to work FOR themselves, not necessarily BY themselves.  Yet for many, that's precisely what happens.

As small business owners, the partners in Surge understand all the pressures, expenses and other factors that result in this typical pattern, but we also know there's a better way, which is to be part of a support system.  When CEO's of large corporations are faced with important decisions, they can rely on their Board of Directors to give them informed opinions and information pertinent to the issue at hand. They may also have contacts that can contribute toward making the best possible decision.  Small business owners typically must do all the research themselves and do the best they can to make the right desicion.  It's better than flipping a coin, but is it really the best way to get things done?

In the Surge community, members can learn new strategies in our business seminars, take advantage of the experience and knowledge of the coaches and their contacts as well as the other business owners through our small group brainstorming sessions where members share their expertise as they discuss real-world business problems and solutions.  It's a different experience than a typical networking group, resulting in deeper connections than are otherwise likely.  The other members become your sounding board and resources, making your life easier and creating the synergy to make new and better things happen, whether it's more referrals, good advice, strategic alliances, partnerships or just friendships.  Our members have all been through similar experiences and understand the small business owner's lifestyle, making them ideal companions on the journey.

People typically think of business in a similar vein to traditional marriage - one person, one business for life.  But that's not the only way to do it.  Creating new lines of business, additional businesses and strategic alliances and partnerships allows you to diversify your business interests, which can help protect you from industry or economic fluctuations.  Best of all, by working with others, you don't have to know it all or do it all yourself, so the sky is the limit.

Other benefits of a Surge membership include discounted products and services from our pre-screened Preferred Service Providers, publicity within the group and on the internet and a chance at receiving a grant through our in-house program.

While there are always individual exceptions to every rule, Surge is not an incubator for brand-new, just-out-of-the-box businesses or a last minute rescue for businesses that are on the brink of failure.  It is a business improvement club for like-minded business owners who want more... from their business, their finances and their lives.

We are so excited to share this experience with the Long Island business community that we are launching the program with a celebration and networking event on Monday, April 22nd from 6 to 8 pm at Toro Pazzo Ristorante Italiano, located at 753 Wantagh Avenue, in Wantagh.  The cost is $5 per person.  If you are a business owner and would like to join us, register at http://surgekickoffandnetworking.eventbrite.com.